St. Patrick’s Day has
become one of the nation’s biggest times to celebrate and party. But
unfortunately, too many people are taking to the roads after drinking alcohol
making the holiday one of our most dangerous. In fact, 30 people were killed in
drunk driving crashes across the nation during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday
period (6 p.m. March 16 to 5:59 a.m. March 18) in 2015.
That’s why the Van Buren
County SAFE Coalition is teaming up with the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) to reach all drivers with an important life-saving
message and warning: Buzzed Driving Is
Drunk Driving.
According
to NHTSA, 252 people lost their lives in drunk driving-related crashes during
the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period from 2011-2015. More than a fourth of them
were killed in drunk driving crashes that occurred in the early morning,
post-party hours (midnight to 5:59 a.m.).
These
needless deaths could have been prevented. Planning a sober ride home before the
party begins is the first step in staying safe on St. Patrick’s Day. Don’t wait
until you’ve already been drinking to make your transportation decision.
Designate your sober driver in advance, and never get behind the wheel if
you’ve been drinking. Remember: Buzzed Driving
Is Drunk Driving.
If
you plan to celebrate this St. Patrick’s Day, follow these tips to stay safe:
●
Before
celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this year, decide whether you’ll drink or you’ll
drive. You can’t do both.
●
If
you’re planning on driving, commit to staying sober. If you’ve been out
drinking and then get behind the wheel, you run the risk of causing a crash or
getting arrested for a DUI.
●
If you
have been drinking, call a sober friend or family member. Also, try NHTSA’s SaferRide mobile app, which
helps users call a friend for a ride home and identify their location so they
can be picked up.
●
Help
those around you be responsible, too. Walking while intoxicated can also be
deadly, as lack of attention could put you at risk of getting hit by a vehicle.
If someone you know is drinking, do not let them get behind the wheel and help
them find a sober ride home.
●
If you
see someone who appears to be driving drunk, call the police. Your actions
could help save a life.
Impaired driving causes tragedies all
year round. According to NHTSA, 35,092 people were killed in motor vehicle
traffic crashes in 2015, and 10,265 (29%) of those fatalities occurred in
drunk-driving-related crashes.
Remember
this St. Patrick’s Day: Plan before You Party! Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.
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